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Smith College reserves the right to make changes to all announcements and course listings online, including changes in its course offerings, instructors, requirements for the majors and minors, and degree requirements. (Last update November 3, 2009.)

Requirements for the Major: Ten (10) 4-credit courses (to include 4 with SWG prefix) focused on women or gender chosen from the list published annually on this website (www.smith.edu/swg), meeting the following requirements:

  1. SWG 150 Introduction to the Study of Women and Gender, normally taken in the first or second year, and which may not be elected S/U
  2. Two (2) 300-level courses (total)
  3. One (1) course in Queer Studies
  4. One (1) course in Women, Race and Culture, one course in either a U.S. OR an international topic
  5. Three courses in one of the following six concentrations.   One of these courses must be a 300 level seminar:
    1. forms of literary or artistic expression {L/A}
    2. historical perspectives {H}
    3. forms of political/social/economic thought/action/organization {S}
    4. modes of scientific inquiry {N/M}
    5. queer studies (thematic concentration)
    6. women, race and culture (thematic concentration)
  6. Four (4) courses with the SWG prefix, including 150 and a 300-level seminar

NOTE: A single course can be used to fulfill more than one of your requirements – for example, one of your 300-level seminars must count for your concentration and may also count for your Queer or WRC course.

Transfer students are expected to complete at least half of their major (or 5 courses) at Smith (or approved Five College courses).

No more than 8 Special Studies credits may count toward the major; no more than 4 credits should be taken in any academic year.

Double Majors: Students who double major in the Study of Women and Gender and another field may count toward the SWG major a maximum of three courses they choose to count toward another major, minor or concentration.

Senior Statement Requirement: In the senior year, a student will complete a statement reflecting on the connections among the courses in her major, and identifying what questions have been the most important to her. The senior statement and SWG advising checklist are due to the faculty adviser by the Friday prior to Spring break (or the Friday prior to Fall break for 'J grads).

Majors: Download a SWG advising checklist and senior statement sheet HERE

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Requirements for the Minor in the Program for the Study of Women and Gender: In consultation with an adviser from the Study of Women and Gender program committee, a student will select six approved courses (or a total of 24 credits) in the Program.   The courses must include:

  1. SWG 150 Introduction to the Study of Women and Gender, normally taken in the first or second year, and which may not be elected S/U.
  2. One Queer Studies course.
  3. One Women, Race and Culture course.
  4. Three additional courses in the Program.

Minors are strongly encouraged to elect at least one course at the 300 level.

Advising: All members of the Program Committee for the Study of Women and Gender serve as advisers for the major and minor.

Honors [SWG 430D] : The honors program in the Program for the Study of Women and Gender consists of an 8-credit honors thesis and a public presentation of its major insights and implications, in addition to the 10 courses in the major and fulfilling all the general requirements.  Eligibility requirement for honors work, and supervision and evaluation of the thesis are determined by the Program Committee for the Study of Women and Gender as described in the complete guidelines. Honors Director: Susan Van Dyne.

Special Studies: For qualified juniors and seniors. Offered both semesters each year. 1 to 4 credits. Admission by permission of the instructor and director of the program. No more than 4 special studies credits may be taken in any academic year and no more than 8 special studies credits total may applied toward the major.